Faucet



H. W. Pow/LER ,@li

FAUCET Filed June l5.; 1954 IN V EN TOR. HAQULD ma FUWLEQ A TTORNEY Patented Mar. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FAUCET Harold W. Fowler, Oakland, Calif.

Application June 13, 1934, Serial No. 730,381

1 Claim.

The invention relates to faucets and particularly those which are especially constructed for relatively small and portable installations such as commonly used in automobile service stations for filling radiators.

An object of the invention is to provide a faucet of the character described wherein the uid pressure of the supply line as` well as the fluid ow is directed against the rear of the faucet valvein a 1o manner` urging the latter in all of its positions to a seated, passage closing position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a faucet of the above character having an outline especially formed to comfortably nest within the 152 hand of the operator and with the valve actuating means of the faucet incorporated in said outline for ready gripping.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a faucet of the character described wherein the valve operating lever is particularly arranged to afford both convenience in grasping and an improved leverage advantage on the valve parts.

Yet another `object of the invention is to provide a faucet of the above character which is simply and sturdily constructed of a minimum number of parts and is arranged to permit of ready dismembering for quick adjustment or replacement of worn parts.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming a part of the specication. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claim.

Referring to said drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation with a portion of the faucet shown in section toillustrate the valve assembly.

Figure 2 is an elevational view showing the protective covering for the faucet, which covering is broken away and shown in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the valve assembly.

With reference to the drawing, the faucet 6 of my invention comprises a body portion 1 to which 5o is connected a discharge nozzle 8 and a pivoted actuating lever 9. The body I itself is especially formed for ready engagement by the hand of the user and to this end includes a cylindrical portion II which is arranged to nest in the palm of the hand and which joins with an enlarged offset portion I2 which is adapted to engage in the crotch of the hand between the thumb and index finger. This arrangement leaves the fingers of the hand free for gripping the actuating lever 9 which is for such engagement extended into a 5 generally parallel, spaced relation with respect to the body portion II.

Extending approximately centrally through the body portion II and I2 are passageways I3 and Id which are interconnected at their adjacent 10 ends and provide for the passage of fluid through the body portion of the faucet. In the present instance the passage I3 houses the valve mechanism and is formed with an annular valve seat I6 against which is arranged to move into passage 15 closing position a valve I1. In accordance with my invention the valve mechanism provides for the use of a standard tire chuck washer I 8 for the valve proper and which is supported in a cupped receptacle I9 for longitudinal movement in the 20 passage I3 to and from the seat I6. As an important feature of my arrangement, the fluid flow through the passage I3 is in the direction of a valve closing movement so that such ow and the pressure drop through the valve will urge the 25 valve to a seated passage closing position. Entrance of the fluid to the passage in this manner may be conveniently effected by connecting the fluid supply main to the outer end 2| of the passage I3 which for such connection may be en- 30 larged and tapped as here shown. In order, however, to insure a proper closing of the valve, regardless of the conditions of flow or pressure in the passage I3, I prefer to include in the assembly a valve closing spring 22. As here shown this 35 spring is mounted and compressed between the receptacle I9 and a hollow plug 23 threadably carried in the passage I3 adjacent the outer end 2|. If desired, a screen 24 may be incorporated in the plug as here shown for filtering the fluid. 40

Means for displacing the valve from its seat against the action of the fluid pressure and for admitting fluid into the passage I4 here include an actuating stem 26 which is slidably carried in a bore 2l formed( in the enlarged body por- 45 tion I2. As may be best seen in Figure 1, the bore 21 is provided in substantially axial alignment with the passage I3 and the stern 26 is extended therethrough and through the adjoining portions of the passages I3 and I4 to directly engage the 50 valve assembly. In order thatthe engagement of the valve means and the displacement thereof by the stem shall not incur any wear o-n the relatively soft valve washer and as may be best seen in Figure 3, the end 28 of the stem is engaged 55 in an intermediate coupling member 29 which is extended centrally through the Washer and fitted into a socket 30 formed in the washer receptacle I9. Preferably an enlarged shoulder portion 3l is provided on the member 29 for holding the washer against release from the receptacle I9 when the valve is in open position, Leakage of fluid from the passage I4 through the bore 21 is here prevented by a packing ring 32 and a retaining plug 33 mounted about the stem 26 in an enlarged outer portion 34 of the bore 21.

Since the stem may be readily slipped from engagement with the coupling member 29, it will be understood that replacement or adjustment of the valve washer may be quickly and readily effected by removing the plug 23 and slipping the valve parts from the outer end `of the passage I3 without in any way disturbing the valve stem. However, should it be advisable for any reason to also remove the stern, the same may be slipped from the packing means and likewise removed from the outer end of the passage I3. Thus, with the exception of the packing means, the entire valve assembly may be quickly and easily mount-- ed or removed either jointly or by parts from the outer end of the passage I3.

With the valve in closed position the stem 26 is arranged to extend with the outer end 35 thereof projected outwardly from the packing plug and the outer side 36 of the body portion I2 for engagement with and displacement by the actuating lever 9. Since the axis of the stem is generally parallel to the axis of the cylindrical body portion I I, the lever 9 is pivoted for movement of a portion 31 thereof against and in the direction of displacement of theV stem. As here shown the lever is pivoted adjacent an end 38 thereof in an outstanding yoke 40 formed on the body side 36 and disposed with the portion 31 extending at substantially right angles to the axis of the stem and provided with a substantially rightangularly extending portion 39 which is arranged to overlie the cylindrical portion II for grasping and drawing to the body II for actuation of the valve. It will be noted that by reason of the closeness of the pivotal connection of the lever and stern as compared to the length of the lever engaged for actuation, the mechanical advantage aorded by the lever enables the use of a relatively strong valve closing spring while providing for a smooth and easy operation of the lever.

In the present embodiment the discharge nozzle or tube 8 is threadably engaged in the body portion I2 and extends through the side 36 thereof into communication with the passageway I4. As particularly here provided the tube 8 extends from the side 36 immediately adjacent the yoke 40 to normally engage the end 38 of the lever and to in this manner limit the latters movement from the body and to maintain the lever in position for ready grasping. The discharge end of the tube is preferably provided with a right angular bend portion 4I which may, as here shown, be inclined slightly in the direction of the handle. As will be understood, the portion 4I will be normally disposed as shown in the drawing, in the plane of the body portion and lever, but may by reason of its threaded connection in the body be readily adjusted to other angular positions. In this regard it will be noted that the shape of the body portion permits of ready grasping by the fingers and engagement of the lever either in the crotch between the thumb and index nger or by the thumb alone Where a reversal of the tube portion 4I is desired.

If desired, the outstanding portions of the faucet, such as the body and discharge tube may be provided with a rubber coating 42 as here shown in Figure 2 to afford a cushioning means for pro-i tecting the faucet parts against shock.

I claim:

In a faucet of the character described, a. body including an elongated portion and a transversely offset portion each having a passage therethrough joined at the inner end thereof with the other passage, a discharge conduit carried by said olfset portion in communication with the passage therein and extending from said body in parallel relation to said elongated portion, the outer end of said rst passage being arranged for connection to a. source of fluid and formed adjacent the inner end thereof with an annular valve seat, a valve mounted in said last mentioned passage for movement to and from a passage closing position engaging said seat and being urged to said position under the action of the fluid pressure and fiow from said source, a spring mounted in said last mentioned passage for assisting in the movement of the valve into engagement with said seat, an actuating stem slidably carried in said offset portion in spaced relation to said conduit and in substantially axially aligned position with said valve and arranged to engage and displace the valve from closed position against the action of the spring and the uid therebehind, and a lever pivoted to said offset portion intermediate said conduit and stem and having a portion thereof extended at substantially right angles to and arranged to engage and displace said stem and an angular portion extended into spaced and generally parallel relation to said elongated portion, the end of said lever being arranged to engage said conduit and limit the outward movement thereof from the body.

HAROLD W. FOWLER. 

